Senior Formulation Scientist - Topical and Transdermal Products

About the Role

Our client, a leading pharmaceutical research and development organization, is seeking an innovative Senior Formulation Scientist with deep expertise in topical and transdermal drug delivery systems. This role is integral to the design, development, and optimization of novel formulations that enhance drug efficacy and patient compliance. You will leverage your scientific knowledge to troubleshoot formulation challenges, characterize drug-excipient interactions, and scale up processes from laboratory to pilot and commercial manufacturing. This is a fully remote position, enabling you to contribute your specialized skills from anywhere, fostering a flexible and efficient research environment. Our client is committed to advancing drug delivery technologies and requires a self-motivated individual who excels in a virtual setting. This is an exceptional opportunity to drive innovation in Kimberley, Northern Cape, ZA , and contribute to the development of advanced pharmaceutical products.

Key Responsibilities

• Formulate and develop topical and transdermal drug products, including creams, ointments, gels, patches, and microneedle systems.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, including characterization of APIs and excipients.
• Design and execute experiments to optimize formulation composition, manufacturing processes, and product performance.
• Utilize various analytical techniques (e.g., HPLC, GC, DSC, TGA, rheology) for formulation characterization and stability testing.
• Investigate and troubleshoot formulation and process-related issues during development and scale-up.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for new formulations.
• Collaborate effectively with analytical, manufacturing, regulatory, and project management teams in a virtual environment.
• Prepare detailed development reports, protocols, and other relevant documentation.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in topical and transdermal drug delivery technologies and relevant scientific literature.
• Contribute to intellectual property generation and patent applications.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Pharmaceutics, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of hands-on experience in formulation development of topical and transdermal products within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Proven track record in designing, developing, and optimizing complex formulations.
• In-depth knowledge of drug delivery principles, excipient science, and manufacturing processes for topical/transdermal dosage forms.
• Proficiency with a range of analytical and characterization techniques relevant to formulation development.
• Experience with scale-up and technology